Meet Our Staff

My name is Chris Herman and I am the Director of Project Success/Student Support Services. I have just started my sixth year as an employee of Illinois Valley Community College and as a member of TRIO Project Success/Student Support Services. I consider it an honor and a privilege to be able to work with students on a daily basis to help them reach their goals. I am continually amazed with the amount of dedication and persistence that our students exhibit. I am blessed to have a job where I can make a positive impact on low-income, first-generation, & students with disabilities lives. We also have a great staff that shares in my passion for helping students. I am proud of the fact that many students consider Project Success an oasis of support that really feels like a second family to them. Our primary purpose is to assist students with staying in school, graduating, and/or transferring to 4-year colleges or universities.

Good day, I am Cynthia Cardosi. a counselor at Project Success. I am excited to have another academic year upon us...where new adventures await us. In my life, I have spent years immersing myself in education as I love to learn. I also love to teach. My BS is in Physical Education – University of Alabama-Birmingham, MEd in Educational Administration - U of Illinois, MSS in Sport Management – US Sports Academy, and a PhD in Educational Psychology – University of Virginia. Plus, I have spent 20 years advising and counseling students with 16 of those years focused on teaching how to be successful in college for student-athletes. Ultimately, I am a coach, counselor, and cheerleader. I look forward to assisting you at IVCC when you join our Project Success TEAM. Together, we will pursue enriching our lifelong skills. Remember, the possibilities are endless!

Hello, I am Diane Scoma, a counselor in Project Success. As a first generation college student myself,
I understand how confusing it can feel to navigate through college
successfully. I will be your greatest ally here at IVCC! My own college and
career path gives me years of invaluable experience to share with you.I started my education at IVCC where I
completed my Associate of Arts degree and transferred to NIU. I completed a Bachelor
of Fine Arts at NIU and an MA in Educational Administration from Northeastern
Illinois University, Chicago. My career path has included working in
Admissions, Career Services, Financial Aid and Academic Advising. I’ve worked
at NIU, Roosevelt University, NEIU, Cardinal Stritch and University of
Wisconsin Milwaukee before coming back home to IVCC ten years ago. I love being a TRiO Student
Support Services counselor because I get to share my passion for education
every day with students who inspire and amaze me. Project Success at IVCC is
like family. Join us and you’ll see what I mean!

I am Teresa Bowen the Administrative Assistant for Project Success. I am married, have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. Over the years I have changed my education direction and am currently pursuing my degree in Graphic Design. The majority of my career has been in management positions and I have also owned three businesses. I self-published my book of photography and poetry and am currently working on another book. Photography and graphic design are something I enjoy doing in my spare time and have sold some of my photos on Ebay. I am very excited to be able to serve all of the Project Success students and be of whatever help is needed for all of you to succeed in your education endeavors.